ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

National Geographic makes documentary about Kukeri masked dancers

Bansko footage to promote Bulgaria in new episode of Europe from Above
Photo: pirinsko.com

Unique photos of masked Kukeri dancers are circulating on the internet, showing the making of a National Geographic documentary filmed in the Bulgarian ski resort of Bansko. For the second week in a row, the channel's film crew is in the Bansko area. They are shooting a film about the traditions of the mountain town, which will be broadcast as part of the Europe from Above  series. The first stage of the filming took place on January 1, during the Kukeri festival, according to the Pirinsko.com website. 
Early in the morning of January 6, on the eve of Yordanovden, Kukeri dancers from all the districts of Bansko took the cable car up the mountain and "conquered the Pirin", the website reported, posting photos of the event on social networks. Perperikon
The photos were taken by photographers Alexander Tsiguriyn and Boris Kolchagov. "The Bansko Kukeri conquered the mountain and it was as if the universe unfolded to show the beauty of nature, traditions and people," the online post said.Aerial view of the Paneurhythmy dance (the white circles on the right) at the Rila lakes
Last year, Bulgaria was featured in the fourth season of Europe from Above, which shows stunning aerial views of the Old Continent. Viewers of one of the world's most watched popular science TV channels saw fantastic footage of the ancient Thracian city of Perperikon, the Sound and Light Show in Veliko Tarnovo, the mystical Paneurhythmy dance at the Seven Rila Lakes and other breathtaking aerial shots of Bulgaria. 
National Geographic has presented the Bulgarian tradition of Kukeri on other occasions. In January 2021, photographs of the masked dancers taken by Bulgarian photographer Ivo Danchev were published in the magazine in an article entitled Between Two Worlds, about masquerade rituals in Bulgaria.  Last year, Ivo explored the Kukeri's connection to animal husbandry. It's a very old and strong one! And recently he presented his latest project on the Kukeri.

Text: Veneta Nikolova
Photos by Alexander Tsiguriyn, Boris Kolchagov, Vladislav Terziiski, Ivo Danchev
Translated and posted by Elizabeth Radkova

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.
Radio Bulgaria Life    Bansko Kukeri National Geographic

More from category

Bulgaria's Antarctic explorers featured in photo exhibition in Sofia

Residents and visitors to Sofia will have the opportunity to learn more about Bulgarian scientists working in Antarctica and their important role in the exploration of the continent. The exhibition "Antarctic People - Caring for the Earth" by BNR..

published on 4/17/25 8:15 AM

платена публикация
Pamper Yourself: Affordable Luxury Hair and Beauty Services in Bulgaria

Looking and feeling your best doesn’t have to come at a high price — especially in Bulgaria. The country has become a rising star in beauty tourism, offering top-tier salon services at prices that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re a local or a..

published on 4/16/25 9:55 AM

Ekaterina Kvaratskhelia from Georgia: Peace is a blessing that we should not take for granted

In 1992, a child from Georgia packed her entire life into a small black canvas bag to escape the horror of the bombs… The war through her eyes and the most terrible memories that mark her entire life are described in the..

published on 4/15/25 12:55 PM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Thunderstorms
Min: 8 | Max: 17
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 13 | Max: 14
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 13 | Max: 14
Thunderstorms
Min: 12 | Max: 17
Thunderstorms
Min: 11 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 12 | Max: 17
Overcast, rain
Min: 11 | Max: 16
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 10 | Max: 14
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 11 | Max: 16
Thunderstorms
Min: 7 | Max: 18
Overcast, rain
Min: 11 | Max: 16
Thunderstorms
Min: 12 | Max: 16
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 11 | Max: 18
Thunderstorms
Min: 7 | Max: 15
Occasional showers
Min: 12 | Max: 16
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 12 | Max: 18
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 14
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 12 | Max: 17
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 11 | Max: 17
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 12 | Max: 16
Thunderstorms
Min: 9 | Max: 12
Thunderstorms
Min: 8 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 11 | Max: 16
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 11 | Max: 16
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Min: 11 | Max: 17
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 10 | Max: 15
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 12 | Max: 17
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Black Sea Route Epic Tour 2025 from Constanta to Rezovo has started

The group cycling tour along the tourist route of the Black Sea Route Epic Tour 2025 started today . According to the extreme sports website 360mag.bg, a..

published on 4/26/25 8:40 AM

Cambridge Day 2025 brings English teachers from Bulgaria and abroad together in Sofia

Cambridge Day 2025 - one of the leading events for English language teachers in Southeast Europe - takes place today at the Balkan Hotel in Sofia. For..

published on 4/25/25 2:04 PM

Seme Balgarsko festival opens in Sevlievo

On 26 and 27 April, Sevlievo in Central Bulgaria is hosting the festival “Seme Balgarsko ”. For its 11 th edition, the organizers have a colourful..

published on 4/26/25 11:20 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"